The UK government has decided to suspend its exports of parts for fighter jets, helicopters and drones to Israel, saying there is a clear risk the equipment could be used to commit serious violations of international law.
In response, Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa has renewed its calls for the New Zealand government to suspend exports of Rakon bomb components to the US for the bombs it sends to Gaza.
This comes as over 40,000 Palestinian people, including over 16,000 children, have been killed in Israel’s war on Gaza since October 7th.
Producer Sofia spoke to the National Chair of Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa, John Minto, about the UK government suspending arms shipments, whether Aotearoa New Zealand should follow its lead, and the New Zealand government’s response.
She started the interview asking why the UK has suspended its arms shipments to Israel.
Earlier this week, the government announced it would raise the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy from $35 to $100, starting October 1st.
The policy has been met with criticism, with the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment among others saying the implementation of this increase to $100 could be a deterrent for visitors.
Producer Sofia spoke to Associate Professor at the University of Otago Department of Tourism, Julia Albrecht, about this announcement and how it might impact tourism in Aotearoa New Zealand.
She started the interview asking her what the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy is.
Earlier this week, in response to councillor feedback, Mayor Wayne Brown announced a new committee structure for Auckland Council and made changes to the Auckland Transport Board.
This restructuring intends to streamline decision-making and put Council’s focus on delivering the new Long-term Plan.
Additionally, the decision on a proposal to move rubbish bin collection to a fortnightly service could be decided next month.
The proposal is part of Council’s Waste Management and Minimisation Plan to reduce waste and carbon emissions.
Producer Sofia asked Councillor Shane Henderson about both of these topics as well as what the newly announced National Land Transport Programme means for Auckland.
Wire Host Caeden speaks to Labour’s Shanan Halbert about Labour’s attendance at Palestine protests in Tāmaki Makaurau and the newly announced National Land Transport Programme and its lack of support for public transport.
And for State of the States this week, they speak to Yale Daily News’ Andre Fa’aoso about the ballot measures, college political campaign groups, and the recent school shooting in the state of Georgia.
For City Counselling this week, Sofia catches up with Councillor Shane Henderson about changes to Auckland Council’s committee structure, a proposal to introduce fortnightly rubbish collection, and what the government’s National Land Transport Programme means for Auckland
She also speaks to Associate Professor at the Department of Tourism at the University of Otago, Julia Albrecht, about the government introducing an increase to the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy.
She also speaks to the National Chair of Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa, John Minto, about the UK government suspending arms shipments to Israel and whether Aotearoa New Zealand should follow its lead.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host spoke to Shanan Halbert about the Palestine protests in Taamaki Makaurau and the new national land transport programme.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host spoke to Shanan Halbert about the Palestine protests in Taamaki Makaurau and the new national land transport programme.
New Zealanders continue to protest Israel’s attacks on Gaza and on Israel’s illegal occupation of West-Bank, mainstream New Zealand media continue a narrative of double standards.
A recent report made by TVNZ, presented the Israeli military operation on the illegally-occupied West Bank. The report focused on Israeli narratives, justification and propaganda, with nothing coming from the Palestinian side to put such an issue into perspective. TVNZ presented an inversion of the truth.
I spoke to John Minto of the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa about appalling mainstream media reporting on Palestine, as well as the government’s silence on the issue and a justification for the ongoing rallies.
Following a call of urgent action from energy minister Simeon Brown and the coalition government, the government intends to reverse the ban on oil and gas exploration beyond onshore Taranaki.
This decision comes after Simeon Brown declared New Zealand to have an energy shortage, leading to the highest wholesale electricity prices of comparable countries. At the same time however, there has been a continual increase in solar panel power which may solve New Zealand’s energy crisis.
Sasha spoke to Professor Barry Barton from the University of Waikato about the governments’ intention to remove the oil and gas exploration ban.
For their regular catch-up, Oto spoke to the Green Party’s Ricardo Menéndez March about the National Land transport Programme, the Ministry of Education removing information on charter schools from their website and the party’s nomination for bird of the year.
He spoke to Professor Christine Rubie-Davies from the University of Auckland to talk about the practice of streaming in classrooms and the Kōkirihia initiative led by Ngāi Tahu which looks to replace it with High expectation teaching and mixed ability classrooms.
And he spoke to Researcher Leueta Mulipola from the University of Auckland to talk about a study she conducted on anger studying anger through the lens of Samoan youth in Aotearoa.
Sasha spoke to John Minto from Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa about double standards in New Zealand's media coverage of Israel’s war on Gaza.
He also spoke to Professor Barry Barton from the University of Waikato about the government’s intention to reverse the oil and gas exploration ban.
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